Monday, September 28, 2015

Tonight, after reading a story from Virginia, I want to get your feedback about the issue involved that is not as black and white (pun intended) as one might think.

Here is the story:

"A white, Newport News, Va., history teacher – who was placed on a week-long paid leave for mentioning the 'N-word' in the context of a history lesson – has been reinstated and will be back in school Tuesday.

Last week, history teacher Lynne Pierce, says that she uttered the 'N-word' as part of an example during an Advanced Placement history course at Heritage High School, whose student population is 90 percent black. On Monday, her 40-year teaching career hung in the balance.

In an interview, Ms. Pierce says that on Sept. 18 she was placed on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation to determine if she should be disciplined, or even allowed back in the classroom.

At noon on Monday, Ms. Pierce said: “I’ll be back in the classroom tomorrow. It’s what I’ve wanted all along. All I wanted to do was teach. Now we’ve lost valuable time and we’re going to have to make it up.”

Pierce says she was speaking the word in the context of her lesson plan for the college-level course which examines “how America celebrates racism without realizing it.” The case in point was the ongoing controversy over the name of the NFL team, the Washington Redskins, a pejorative term for Native Americans.

“I was teaching a lesson on Native Americans. We had already talked about bias and propaganda and stereotypes and one of the students asked me, ‘What’s the big deal about calling a team the Washington Redskins,’” Pierce recounts.

“And I was trying to explain that to them. And the kids said they didn’t see anything wrong with it. So what? And as an example I said to them, ‘Well what would you think if someone was going to start a team and call it the Newport News N***ers? And they didn’t like it. I said, ‘Well of course you don’t like it. That’s the whole point!’
”

Pierce adds, “Just because something doesn’t personally affect you doesn’t mean it’s not offensive to someone else If you want to be respected in the terms you don’t want to be called, then you should understand that other people feel the same way. That, basically, is what happened.”

“A parent complained and this is the route the principal chose to take,” she says. “I would have handled it differently.”

A petition in defense of Pierce started by Juslena Williams, who is black and a Heritage alumni, has gained over 1,600 signatures. The petition also started the hashtag #imnotoffended.
Bring Back Ms. Pierce - Sign the Petition http://t.co/uJHAZcDdLw #ImNotOffended— Kierra Barnes (@KierraLBarnes) September 25, 2015

#imnotoffended when someone uses an offensive word in a discussion about the word— Ray (@RayBoddieJr) September 28, 2015

Lynne Pierce seems like a nice woman who was trying to teach kids a valuable lesson about #racism #imnotoffended @nnschools get a grip— Daniel Carry (@DanielPCarry) September 25, 2015
The “Bring Back Ms. Pierce” petition argued that Pierce "gave a logical, historical, and educational example of ignored racism in America."

"The high school is 90% Black," the petition continues, "so the comparison was appropriate to show students how offensive it is on both side of the spectrum. Ms. Pierce did nothing wrong. She is a history teacher, she cannot be censored for teaching terms and beliefs that people had throughout history.”

Dennis Parker, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Racial Justice Program, says in an email about the incident, “I don’t know what the NAACP opinion is on this, but I would be very uncomfortable saying that a word can never be used regardless of the context. I would be concerned given the fact that efforts to ban the use of words have been used as a justification for banning works of literature, including some which are focused on issues of racial equality.”

Senior ACLU staff attorney Lee Rowland adds, “Schools are highly regulated environments, and even if courts were to find that a school could discipline a teacher for saying a certain word, that in no way supports a broader governmental power to regulate that word when it's spoken outside of the school context.”

Mr. Parker concludes that his personal opinion, and not necessarily that of the ACLU, is that perhaps setting ground rules informing that the word may come up in context could be a best practices alternative for teachers like Pierce in future.

'I recently spoke at a symposium for high school and middle school students at the New York Historical Society about "To Kill a Mockingbird” and they began the discussion by telling people that the discussion would involve using the word, but that it was not being used casually and for historical and other reasons would not be left out,” Parker writes. “I think that acknowledging that it and similar words are painful and that their use is not casual is a good practice.”' [Story]

So what should have happened to Ms. Pierce?

Should she have been:

A. Suspended without pay.B. Suspended with pay and sent to sensitivity training.C. Terminated forthwith.D. Nothing.

50 comments:

Anonymous
said...

D. Nothing.

When people complain about "political correctness" -- and are making a legitimate objection, not just covering for their own bigotry -- this incident is precisely the sort of thing they're referring to. It's the linguistic equivalent of "zero tolerance," in which we don't consider context and make no distinction between good and bad behavior.

People's brains will not melt if they are forced to hear a racial slur in the context of a school lesson on racism or a journalistic story about racism.

Outright banning words does nothing to end hate, and in this particular case does an injustice to someone who is working against hate. Dumb as hell.

It appears that Ms. Pierce utilized the "N" word in an educational manner and it wasn't used in a derogatory fashion to cast aspersion. Her point was to edify this young man by selecting the one historical byword that is typically attached to black people in general. It really boils down to the context in which the word was uttered.

First of all if she was getting her message across that student wouldn't have asked "what's the big deal with calling a team Redskins?" Obviously the student did not have a clue. So lesson fail.

Second if it were a class full of Hispanics, and she would have used the term, 'beaner' or 'wetback' or 'spic' Of course I would have been a little shocked. It's like burping in someones face. No need for those kinda tactics!

The same goes for Middle Easterners and she used the term 'towel heads' et al.

Racism is a sensitive issue that has not been resolved and is ongoing still.

In a land where the white man reigns supreme over the minorities,and with everything that is happening, yes of course some sensitivity and tact is called for.

My thoughts are that somehow, she kinda relished being able to say that word in order to 'make her educational point'!

Me no like. I smell a rat, a covert racist rat.

and apropo of those 40 years teaching, when the hey do people retire in the states? Yeezus! Give the younger generation a chance!!!

I feel like if she was using the word to offend them a little so as to remind them what being offended feels like and maybe raise a little empathy for Native Americans, then maybe it was OK. But as I am not black, maybe I don't have the authority to make that call. The way I remember public school, that seems a little tame compared to the verbal abuse coming from the kids themselves. So put me down for D nothing.

I feel like if she was using the word to offend them a little so as to remind them what being offended feels like and maybe raise a little empathy for Native Americans,...

10:58 PM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I understand your point of view. My thoughts are that with all of the situations going on with black men and women getting killed,among other things, I don't think she should have used it. I would not have if I were that teacher.

The thing that white people refuse to, and simply do not want to understand is that it's an ongoing issue, it's a not an in the past issue, it's a happening right now issue! that's the difference.

And people refuse to face that fact, and continuously debate it with the lame excuse of "well they call each other that all the time so I can and will too"

Well, no, you can't! But yet the lack of respect and humiliating appropriation continues.

In an educational context or not, she should have found another example to make her point. It's called tact, sensitivity, empathy, compassion, love for your fellow man, respect.

She should retire already. Then she can use the word all she wants in the privacy of her home where no one will hear it.

"The thing that white people refuse to, and simply do not want to understand is that it's an ongoing issue, it's a not an in the past issue, it's a happening right now issue! that's the difference."

That's the teacher's point. "Redskins" is a very offensive term and it is ongoing today...it's not a past issue, it's a happening right now issue. Same goes for Blacks. Except Blacks use the word "nigger" all the time.

Lilac, you are like the black student who cried wolf when the teacher enlightened him how it feels to be offended. I am surprised that we have kids as unaware and out of touch with themselves and others. Someone like that just don't get it. They just don't get it that it IS A BIG DEAL to Native American Indians.

The teacher used very good teaching skills to help a dummie student to get it...hopefully.

I vote D. NOTHING...........And if anyone should be removed from that school it should be the insensitive self-centered selfish black kid. That kid can't be helped.

The word nigger is a derivative niger. Niger is a Spanish word which simply means black. However, over the past few centuries, white Amerikans, especially the slave masters have corrupted this word to the point of meaning something entirely different. Now, the word nigger means a variety of things to an equally variety of people like lazy, stupid, dirty or a worthless individual just to name a few. On the other hand, and depending on the context and how its uttered or expressed, the word nigger represent a friend, someone who is cool, a hipster or someone that an individual has known for a long time.

It appears to be foolishly sensitive to allow a group of people to re-direct or change the meaning of a word simply due to their social and political strength. I suggest that we as black and brown people refrain from giving them the pleasure of denigrating a person or group of people through the use of a mere word. If they want to show their ignorance, well then, let it be so.

If black folks were to get all bent out of shape without considering the context in which the '"N" word was used, well, we wouldn't be any better than mutant white people. Following the ways of white people and doing the unconscionable things they do and say will show that we as black people have also lost our humanity just as quite a few whites have already done so through overreaction. (Think Faux News for instance and Mr. O'Reilly in particular and police officers in general).

Now, ... think for a moment of all the black people that died at the hands of white officers based upon unfounded fear and the manner in which they thought so low of black people that could've been saved if the police officers weren't so quick to react violently simply because of someone they saw as a corrupted individual or nonhuman being as opposed to a dark skinned, breathing and conscious human being.

I am really sick of this black and white bullshit. As a bm I am disgusted and depressed by this post. That teacher had every right as a teacher to teach history in the skillful way she did to wake up a dead minded student.

I think her method worked so well that some Blacks were so offended that Pierce was suspended for a week. In fact, I have learned something from Miss Pierce: "Redskins" is a very ugly dirty offensive term.

Thanks for bringing it home to me Ms Pierce! You've changed my mind and heart for the better. I only hope other Negroes "get it" like I did.

As a bm I am leaving FN. I just can't be a part of a black blog who beats up on white people. Ms Pierce does not deserve such scrutiny. There just is no good reason for it, esp Lilac's heartless comments about a brilliant teacher.

It seems Negroes don't want good teachers in their schools. Well, I've had it with the brothers and sisters on this blog. I'm outta here.

I've litigated bias & discrimination cases & could not have done so effectively without using gender and racially offensive words. Nor could I have ever been effectively taught or trained to do so without my instructors & mentors using those words. They weren't used in my house growing up, and I don't use them gratuitously, either socially or professionally, but I have used them professionally and to inform my children & grandchildren about why they are offensive. I don't see how any parent or professional dealing with verbal racism can avoid doing so.

d. Nothing. I think it was a good point well made. I don't go along with the 'closet racists who got a kick out of using the word' theory, either. I think that would have manifested itself earlier in her 30 year career.

**"The word nigger is a derivative niger. Niger is a Spanish word which simply means black."

Nope. Niger is the latin word for black. The Spanish word for black is 'negro'.

"As a bm I am leaving FN. I just can't be a part of a black blog who beats up on white people. Ms Pierce does not deserve such scrutiny. There just is no good reason for it, esp Lilac's heartless comments about a brilliant teacher."

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D. Nothing. In the context of an AP History class where the discussion revolved around explaining why certain terms are considered offensive, it made perfect sense to use a term that would resonate with the students. The intent wasn't to offend the students; the intent was to make them think.

I find it a tad incomprehensible that some people are incapable of distinguishing between using a word as an example of something that is not acceptable and using a word as a racist slur, but apparently those people exist. Like Whitey's Conspiracy said, you can't explain why something is wrong without occasionally saying the actual word out loud.

I've litigated bias & discrimination cases & could not have done so effectively without using gender and racially offensive words. Nor could I have ever been effectively taught or trained to do so without my instructors & mentors using those words. They weren't used in my house growing up, and I don't use them gratuitously, either socially or professionally, but I have used them professionally and to inform my children & grandchildren about why they are offensive. I don't see how any parent or professional dealing with verbal racism can avoid doing so.

2:47 AM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As well you should use them inform YOUR children and YOUR grandchildren as to the offensiveness of those words.

As a LAWYER in court litigation's use them all you want.

But as a TEACHER OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS I would think to please find another example to 'make that particular point'. Surely there are more less sensitive painful ones??? Or no?? :)

Just because you say that the word absolutely HAS to be used, does not make it so, or any less sensitive or touchy. Just my humble opinion.

I find it a tad incomprehensible that some people are incapable of distinguishing between using a word as an example of something that is not acceptable and using a word as a racist slur, but apparently those people exist. Like Whitey's Conspiracy said, you can't explain why something is wrong without occasionally saying the actual word out loud.

7:01 AM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes Nan, horror of horrors THESE INCOMPREHENSIBLE PEOPLE do exist :)

I'm one of them. Sorrryyy! :)

So to you and Whitey, please stop fighting it so hard. No, me no like and especially me no like for my children and grandchildren!!! IN ANY STUDENT OR OTHERWISE SETTING!

So you know what? If you must INSIST on saying it, which obviously you do, thank you for uncovering yourselves. I'm truly sorry, I thought better of you, but I guess this will never change...

This morning after reading the comments made during the night, as I prepare and drink my coffee I find myself inexorably drawn into the past...a painful past that I have buried deep inside of me.

I say buried because I wish I could just eradicate it it, delete it, get rid of it and not have it in me anymore. But I have not been able to. Every now and then it rears its ugly head to remind me of mans inhumanity to man. Sadly I will have to carry it till the day I die. and today, this morning as I read the comments from Whitey and Nan, it has reared it's ugly head again, invading me with painful memories of a past where I was humiliated and hurt by a few teachers, white,blue eyed, Anglo women. I will write about these feelings now because they were aroused by you, and I feel that I must bare my soul at this time

They were angry,hateful,vindictive,hurtful. and of what I knew not. I knew I had done nothing to them, nothing, just be a respectful little immigrant child more than willing to do what was wanted and needed in school, always on time,neat,clean,my work always done,answers always ready. And yet it was not enough, always there were the hateful stares, the snide comments, the humiliation of saying the right thing and being totally ignored, among other little cruelties, I remember being so perplexed as to why,why this treatment? My little mind could not understand. Actually I don't even know how I made it.

and to think that today,60 years and a lifetime of service later, things are still the same exact hate filled way...

It's really disheartening...to say the least.

But you know, that is why I have always taken a very special care when dealing with children, because I know firsthand that when you sow love and kindness, happiness and joy,you reap the same. But when you sow hate and cruelty that is what you get back also.But most importantly that seed remains in the person, forever.

and that is why my eyes are brimming with tears right now. Thank you for everything white people.

"They were angry,hateful,vindictive,hurtful. and of what I knew not. I knew I had done nothing to them, nothing, just be a respectful little immigrant child more than willing to do what was wanted and needed in school, always on time,neat,clean,my work always done,answers always ready. And yet it was not enough, always there were the hateful stares, the snide comments, the humiliation of saying the right thing and being totally ignored, among other little cruelties, I remember being so perplexed as to why,why this treatment? My little mind could not understand. Actually I don't even know how I made it."

I can relate to your experience as a child. That kind of experience impacts how one sees the world and how one sees Whites. Most Blacks can relate whether in childhood or adulthood.

This is the 'evil' nature of racism. It's not going to change any time soon, if ever.

However, I cannot in good conscience and in truth project that on to the teacher who used the N-word in the right context in the right class with the right student(s) at the right time.

The Slave Trade has driven the occupants of this Original Native Country out of their everhatin' minds. Free labor was received, loss of mind went along with the program. So, here we all are. Trigger was a beautiful white horse. Rhymes with. Say what you want, if you hurt feelings, step on toes, be prepared for what you receive. A punch in the chops or a slap upside the head heals in a matter of time. Case closed.

Mr Field, I am concerned about the privacy of FN. Someone told me that FN is connected to Facebook and anything I say is posted on Facebook for the world to see.

Is this true? I thought FN was private, only for FN bloggers to share among each other. I am a lawyer like Whitey and I know you should not be sharing my comments with Facebook folks where Billions of people around the globe can criticize me.

Furthermore, as a bm I resent being called a Digital Blackman and a troll when I am neither.

Also, why haven't you restricted your blog to America? You have some dead beats on here from the UK. That shouldn't be.

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D.Nothing..I loathe all censorship and I will never stop using the word nigger or any other word ...I will of course never accept a White person or any other Non-Black calling me a Nigger...Intent is always a part of political discourse

“They’re racist to the core. They know they are,” Bertha Lewis, the founder of the Black Institute, a civil rights nonprofit, told the Observer. http://observer.com/2015/09/racist-to-the-core-bill-de-blasio-allies-blast-new-charter-school-ad/

Pointing out that schools in white neighborhoods get more government money than schools in Black neighborhoods is now considered racist?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3LSrSZXM8Q&feature=youtu.be

Gotta love how dumbocrats willingly doom poor Black kids to a marginalized life to defend their elected politicians.

"...they began the discussion by telling people that the discussion would involve using the word, but that it was not being used casually and for historical and other reasons would not be left out,” Parker writes. “I think that acknowledging that it and similar words are painful and that their use is not casual is a good practice.” (emphasis added)

I'll say D. I do think context matters, in this case, history education about racism. I think she could have made the same point substituting "N-word" or (as in this blog) "Negro", but I'm also at the advantage of sitting here in my white guy cubicle thinking about it, not having to come up w/ an answer in real time. So far, I'm not hearing any evidence that she's a closet racist dying to use the n-word for its own sake.

A Bart Cop Fan certainly would be in favor of all Whites and against all Blacks. It doesn't matter what the circumstances are. I remember you supported the Bart cop as totally innocent and should not have be punished at all.

You are racist to the core and evil as hell. But you represent Whites in Oakland very well.

My first thought was E. Transfer the teacher to an all white school and have her teach white kids about how these offensive words hurt people and why. Then I thought maybe have a meeting with the kids and get their opinion. How did she make them feel when she said it?

Thank you for sharing, Lilac. Sending a cyber hug your way. What a nightmare for a teacher of all people to think they are morally and culturally superior. When my husband was at the naval academy his white professor, one he really really liked, called him a spic in front of the class. I get choked up thinking about how that made him feel as a young man at that time. I imagine it chopped away at his self esteem. The message his classmates walked away with was disgusting. This bigot determined his grade.

While I appreciate your passion, you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm a fan of the late Terry Coppage, aka Bartcop, as in Bartcop.com--the link I provided w/ my screen name.

I knew immediately that you were/are referring to this shooting in Oakland on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. That incident doesn't have shit to do w/ me or my inclinations, other than that I'm sickened by it as it sounds like you are.

There comes a point in time, when one no longer gives two shits what someome calls them. A word's just a word; just because one calls you the word, doesn't make the word worth two shits. All this racism crap gets OLD!!!!!!! No one's better than anyone.

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